Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park (photo essay)

The Atomic Dome. This building was once the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibit Hall designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. On August 6th, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped and exploded almost exactly over top of the building’s famous dome, igniting the building and instantly killing everyone inside. The dome had always been an iconic feature of the town. Now, 70 years later, it’s also a symbol of the bombing and Hiroshima’s commitment against nuclear weapons. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

Rubble at the base of the atomic dome. As Hiroshima began to rebuild after the bombing, the atomic dome building remained standing, rubble and all. In 1966 the Hiroshima City Council passed a resolution to preserve the building, hence the fence around the rubble. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

When the Hiroshima City Council passed their resolution to preserve the dome in 1966, they added the bare minimum structure needed to prevent the building from collapsing. Here you can see the new steel beams supporting upper floors that were once supported by marble columns. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

Memorial to those who died in the blast. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

School children ringing the peace bell. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Motoyasu River. When aiming at the city, the bombers in the Enola Gay were given the Aoi Bridge over the Motoyasu River as their target, as it has a distinctive T shape. After the bombing, survivors congregated at the river to drink, being parched by the intense heat of the blast. In the crush to reach water, many people were pushed in and drowned. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

People around the world make cranes to display in Hiroshima Peace Park to express their desire for peace. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

Some of those who send cranes craft them into intricate patterns. This one says “peace” in Japanese and is made entirely of cranes . By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

Close-up of peace cranes, by Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

Peace cranes, by Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0

In addition to thousands of adults, many children died in the bombing or from radiation sickness afterwards. The Children’s Peace Monument stands as a memorial to these children. At the top of the monument is the statue of a young girl holding a crane, inspired by Sadako Sasaki who was only two when she was exposed to the radiation from the bombing. She developed leukemia at age seven and died. Before her death, she folded paper cranes, as a Japanese legend states that anyone who can folder 1000 cranes will have their wish granted. Sadako was never able to fold all 1000, but others around the world carry on folding, wishing for peace. By Erin Grace, CC BY-SA 3.0.

This cenotaph contains a register of the names of all who died in the atomic bombing. The epitaph reads, “Rest in peace for we shall not repeat the error.” The artist clarified that “we” refers to humanity rather than Japanese or Americans.Through the cenotaph, you can see the Atomic Dome and the Peace Flame, which will burn until all nuclear bombs on the planet are destroyed.